(CNN) – The secretly recorded tapes of Mitt Romney speaking at a fund-raiser in May were released first in clips on Monday, and later in their full form on Tuesday.

At least what appeared to be their full form: David Corn, the Washington bureau chief for Mother Jones, the magazine that first posted the tapes, says "one to two minutes" of the fund-raiser were never captured, according to the person who recorded it.

"The source says that recording inadvertently switched off in the middle of the fundraiser and that the source turned it back on as soon as s/he noticed this," Corn said Tuesday. "The source estimates that one to two minutes were missed, adding it might have been less time than that."

The video of Romney, which went viral and allowed Democrats to blast their rival as out of touch with struggling Americas, contained several nuggets from the GOP presidential nominee, including a remark that Americans dependent on government support were "victims," and comments casting doubt on the prospect for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The missing portion was not immediately apparent in the video posted on Mother Jones' website, since the full video was posted in two separate YouTube clips. The first ends with Romney discussing the "47% of the people who will vote for the president," and the second begins with Romney discussing trade with China.

Reaction online to the missing two minutes was both serious and irreverent.

Conservatives questioned why it was billed as the "full video" if a portion was missing. The Blaze, a website run by former Fox News host Glenn Beck, asked, "why did the video cut out at such a crucial part? Where is the missing video? And why is this being advertised as the 'uncut' footage?"

But on Twitter, reaction was lighter, with people filling in what they thought could be missing in the tapes.

soundoff(202 Responses)

J from Texas

Romney is still wrong for saying those things. He really thinks poor and elderly people are all a blight on society. But won't admit that those who hire lawyers to help them avoid taxes and send money over seas to avoid paying taxes, are wrong. What about ex military people who can't find jobs after they are being discharged and need welfare to help themselves and their families for a few months? Are they refusing to work and lazy? You can find fraud in any system welfare, Medicare, the tax system etc. You just have to improve the system and put defenders in jail. C'mon man!!

September 19, 2012 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Saboth

Yeah, I'm sure those missing two chunks had: "Now I'm not a mean man, but here is a long diatribe of a man that is callous to the problems facing the American people might say." We aren't talking about sound bites or things taken out of context...you got the real Romney in those long long uninterrupted minutes, of how he thinks about most Americans that are beneath him and the other 1%.

September 19, 2012 03:57 pm at 3:57 pm |

Nathan

Listen up right wing nut jobs. A hugh portion of those people Romney is talking about are millionaires or people who make between $500.000 and 1 million per year. A large portion are military veterans and active duty people. A huge portion are seniors. If Romney is correct in his acertion that corporations are people you can add GE to that list as well they don't pay any taxes. What Romney didn't say was that most of the people he's talking about on the low end and pay payroll and state taxes.

September 19, 2012 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

cf

Unless the missing two minutes contain Mitt saying "Everything I am saying tonight is satire and the opposite of what I truly believe" then this changes nothing.

September 19, 2012 03:58 pm at 3:58 pm |

Andrew Jackson

We used to wage war on poverty and not treat the poor like they are criminals? The Gop could give a crap less this also includes there own poor Gop voters they could give a crap less about.

September 19, 2012 04:01 pm at 4:01 pm |

svann

Rose Mary Woods: "Look, Im not taking the heat for this one".

September 19, 2012 04:06 pm at 4:06 pm |

Just Shut Up

This may be off topic but can anyone answer a legitimate question? I keep hearing about all the potential republican candidates available for 2016. Jeb Bush, Christie, Rubio etc. all being touted as the next big thing for 2016. Since 2012 isn't even decided yet, does the championing of these future candidates for 2016 mean 1) the republicans have conceded 2012 and are looking ahead to beat the next democratic candidate in 2016? or 2) they are conceding that IF Romney wins, he is already considered "one and done"? Either way, it doesn't appear that republicans have much confidence in thier candidate. Can someone answer this? Serious replys only, please.

September 19, 2012 04:07 pm at 4:07 pm |

truth hurts

Malory Archer
Considering my tax rate is nearly what mittens ALLEGES he paid, it appears HE'S more on the government dole than me.
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Another libtard that thinks the money that people make is the governments tax money and your money is whatever they decide you can keep.

TAXPAYERS are NEVER on the government dole idiot. If you TAKE more than you PAY, then you too are on the government dole. People who pay NO TAXES yet get government money (other taxpayers money) are on the government dole.

It is likely Romney has paid more in taxes in one year that you pay over a lifetime. You need to send him a thank you card for keepin gthe government and this country afloat.

September 19, 2012 04:08 pm at 4:08 pm |

Chris

So where are the masses who were screaming over Obama's "You didn't build that" being taken out of context when, in fact, everyone played the entire video which made the quote look even worse? Two minutes of context, gone.

September 19, 2012 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

Sniffit

"People who pay NO TAXES "

NOBODY PAYS ZERO TAXES. NOBODY. You can stop with that filthy misrepresentation any day now, junior. The 47% figure refers SOLELY to federal income taxes.

#missing2mins "You'll be pleased to know that I have retroactively baptized all of your ancestors. Thansk for coming!"

September 19, 2012 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |

Expat American

This is what Romney continued saying to the room full of 50K donors in those missing two minutes:
“Now, let’s find a way to rid of all the people who aren’t as rich and white as us, you know those welfare people”.

September 19, 2012 04:19 pm at 4:19 pm |

Rudy NYC

truth hurts – wrote:

TAXPAYERS are NEVER on the government dole idiot. If you TAKE more than you PAY, then you too are on the government dole. People who pay NO TAXES yet get government money (other taxpayers money) are on the government dole.
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Don't you know that you are complaining about policies, most of which were put in place by Republicans?

1- Work for Welfare. Instead of sending out thousands in checks to an individual, they give the person a chance to put more in their pocket by giving them tax breaks. It's called incentives.
2. Social security & Retirement incomes. Taxes were paid when the money was earned. Taxes were paid on the interest accrued. Taxing withdrawals would amount to a double tax. It would like taxing a withdrawal from your savings account at your bank.

Personally, I like listening to you rant about this. It shows people just how irrational the right wing has become. Carryon.

September 19, 2012 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

just sayin

After hearing Obama's statement that he believes in wealth redistribution, I wouldn't blame rich people on ebit if they all packed up and left the USA if Obama gets re-elected with a Democrat House and Senate.

They saw what the Democrats jammed down our throats with Obamacare. They MUST know they are at the top of the Democrats hit list to fund even more liberal insanity.

There are LOTS of places on this planet that offer a nice place to live and appreciate wealthy people that pay lots of tax money.

September 19, 2012 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

CBR

Mr. Romney's remarks lumped everyone together. He cannot possibly understand who Americans are because he has decided just which Americans might be in that group. Thanks, Mr. Romney. All this time I thought i was in the middle class and enjoying every minute of it. Now I see we never made enough money to be considered middle class.

Unfortunately, we have heard this all before. There is a misconception that just because you are not in the middle class or are underemployed that you are a taker. Of course there are people who want everything given to them but I hardly think the number is 47% of the electorate. There are many very wealthy people who have found ways to lessen their tax burden. They have off-shore and overseas accounts. Their accountants save them thousands and thousands of dollars on their income taxes. No one group is immune form any of this,

Mr. Romney needs to understand that every American citizen is important whether they agree with him or not. He must care for everyone or else he will not be able to help anyone. Obviously he has not associated himself with those of us who are not in the elite. He has no idea how we live, what jobs we have, what salaries we have, what bills we have, what health care costs we have, what we go through to send our children to college. Unfortunately, I do not believe that Mr. Ryan understands this either. If Americans support this team I hope they will be able to set the candidates on the right path. Somehow Id doubt that will happen.

We may not be rich but we are just as well off today because we have accepted the need to cut back and sacrifice for awhile so that the situation will be better. I will sacrifice so that our country can pay for the war that is being waged. We cannot have everything and it is time for us all to stand up and remind our friends and neighbors that war is hell and we have to pay for it if this country is involved. Everything has costs associated with it. For those who are not employed or need help we should all be there to assist as necessary. That is what being an American is all about. Those who cannot do so need to evaluate how being an American citizen impacts their life.

September 19, 2012 04:28 pm at 4:28 pm |

Jimmy O'B

Yeah right-it inadvertantly turned off.... wonder what was on that, duh. Obama on Letterman has the stones to say a prez has to care about all americans. Tell that to the 90% not in unions. Maybe letterman should invite BiBi too-at least obama might have time for him if he were a guest. Don't get me wrong, Romney is a wuss for holding the press confr – he should say exactly what's going on in the USA-govt spending like 36% of GDP-france is 52%...taxes there are 75% rate. We are at the tipping point-heading for spain,greece, etc.

September 19, 2012 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

truth hurts

Rudy NYC
Don't you know that you are complaining about policies, most of which were put in place by Republicans?
1- Work for Welfare. Instead of sending out thousands in checks to an individual, they give the person a chance to put more in their pocket by giving them tax breaks. It's called incentives.
2. Social security & Retirement incomes. Taxes were paid when the money was earned. Taxes were paid on the interest accrued. Taxing withdrawals would amount to a double tax. It would like taxing a withdrawal from your savings account at your bank.
Personally, I like listening to you rant about this. It shows people just how irrational the right wing has become. Carryon.
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The Social Security benefits you received in 2010 may be taxable. You should receive a Form SSA-1099 which will show the total amount of your benefits. The information provided on this statement along with the following seven facts from the IRS will help you determine whether or not your benefits are taxable.

September 19, 2012 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |

Sniffit

"I wouldn't blame rich people on ebit if they all packed up and left the USA if Obama gets re-elected with a Democrat House and Senate."

They've got one foot out the door already...All their money in foreign accounts, avoiding taxes via loopholes, tax shelters, shady investment games and buying preferential tax treatment frmo our elected official, sending all our jobs overseas, etc.,...I say we slam the door on their ankles and tell them to go to hell.

September 19, 2012 04:34 pm at 4:34 pm |

SuperD

The Truth will set you free.

Romney told the truth and hurt the Liberals "feelings" ohhh dear, get them a new diaper quick.

This is a blessing in disguise, now we can start talking about the real Obama, screw the Dems, screw the media, let them scream like they did for his taxes. We are going to call out all you POS for what you really are.

September 19, 2012 04:36 pm at 4:36 pm |

kilowatt23

Wow, the rightwingers are scrambling for twists and spins now. I see the 14 year old comment made by Obama is the big comeback.

September 19, 2012 04:37 pm at 4:37 pm |

truth hurts

Sniffit
"People who pay NO TAXES "
NOBODY PAYS ZERO TAXES. NOBODY. You can stop with that filthy misrepresentation any day now, junior. The 47% figure refers SOLELY to federal income taxes.
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Yes, we know! So answer the question: HOW and WHY do 47% pay NO federal income tax in order to support the running of this country and defend it?! Can we expect that number to climb to 60% in the second term of Obama? Will fewer and fewer pay federal income tax and more is stolen from others to make up the short fall??

At what percentage does this madness end? Or does it end when the rich smarten up and go somewhere else?

September 19, 2012 04:39 pm at 4:39 pm |

TheTeacher

He did a killer impression of Richard Nixon, but that part was cut out in the missing two minutes

September 19, 2012 04:41 pm at 4:41 pm |

Jack

What is most relevant is the fact that Mitt never said anything was taken out of context. He went before his followers and defended what he said on the tape. He told us very clearly what he thinks of the 47%.

September 19, 2012 04:43 pm at 4:43 pm |

TheTeacher

No big deal , just two minutes of him talking about how he "hates all those friggin' jews, blacks, whops, micks, latinos, polacks, rednecks, slopes, what have you. But, corporations are people my friends!"

September 19, 2012 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |

once upon a horse

wow I wonder what the late Andrew Britebart would have done in a case like this?